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Molecular Prevalence and 16s rRNA Gene Analysis of Ehrlichia canis in Dogs in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Ehrlichiosis has been recognized as one of the leading tickborne vector diseases affecting the canine population. The present study aimed to determine the infection rate of Ehrlichia canis (E. canis) in dogs in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. From June 2024 to December 2024, a total of 3,752 dogs were brought for initial veterinary examination due to various health concerns at the K9 Veterinary Clinic System, which operates in Districts 1, 4, 5, 7, and 8 of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. These dogs represented a wide range of breeds, including indigenous dogs, Poodles, Corgis, Chihuahuas, and French Bulldogs, among others. The age of dogs ranged from 3 months to 12 years, with a mean age of approximately 4 years. Body weights varied depending on breed and age. Dogs exhibiting clinical signs suggestive of E. canis infection were further evaluated using a combination of diagnostic methods, including a rapid antibody test, blood smear staining for morulae detection, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The results showed that 87 out of 3,752 dogs (2.32) were infected with E. canis based on PCR. The most common clinical signs observed in E. canis infected dogs included lethargy and anorexia (49.42), pale mucous membranes (28.73), fever (24.14), epistaxis (16.09), icterus (14.94), petechiae (13.79), and hindlimb weakness (5.75). Hematological analysis revealed that thrombocytopenia (90.80) and anemia (54.02) were the most common hematological abnormalities. The 16S rRNA gene sequences from 15 E. canis isolates in this study exhibited a very high degree of similarity. Phylogenetic analysis showed considerable genetic diversity among these isolates. These findings provide valuable insights into the clinical, hematological, and molecular characteristics of E. canis infection in dogs in Vietnam and underscore the importance of molecular surveillance for improved diagnosis and disease management. © The Author(s) 2025. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.
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